I’m sitting in front of my computer on a Friday afternoon and I can’t believe another week has flown by. Even more shocking, it’s November. That means Thanksgiving is almost here followed by Hanukah & Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We’ll be toasting at midnight in hopes of a wonderfully successful, happy and healthy New Year—while at the same time wondering where 2010 went.
When I was a young girl, I remember hearing my parents and grandparents talk about how fast time went as they got older. When you’re 15 years old, it seems like the world is moving in super-slow motion. You’re not even old enough to drive and can barely wait for your next Birthday. You want to be an adult but you’re not…you’re just a kid who painfully waits for each season to pass to move you closer to your goal of being a grown-up. The next thing you know, you’re about to attend your 30th high school reunion.
Where does time go? And, more importantly, how do we get the hands on the clock to slow down?
Most of my friends are at that “half-way” mark—somewhere between 45 and 55—and the funny thing is that we have no idea how we got here so fast. We don’t feel any older mentally, but things on our bodies are starting to break down. Whether it’s a hip replacement, bursitis, or a herniated disc, one of us has been diagnosed with something. Last winter I had this dry patch of skin behind my left ear that made me crazy. I thought it was just dry skin because I am getting older…but it didn’t go away even during a really hot summer. It just got worse. A strange rash showed up on my hips and knees and I looked like a snake because my eyelids started peeling off! I changed my shampoo, hair gel, face soap, moisturizer and laundry detergent but nothing seemed to help.
I finally went to a dermatologist who gently told me I had heartbreak of psoriasis! She didn’t use the “heartbreak” word but how can you forget those commercials? Supposedly, my grandmother passed it to my mom, and my mom passed it down to me.
I laughed out loud after I left the doctor’s office with my new diagnosis. Not because it’s funny (psoriasis can be very dangerous and extremely aggravating), but because it’s just life. Every year that passes, our bodies surprise us with just one more thing. It can depress you or you can roll with it. I’m choosing the latter. That’s what my mom would do; I continue to learn important life lessons from her every day. Here are some other “Mama-isms” I’d like to share:
- Focus on all the good things in your life. There will always be bad things that happen along the way; that’s just life.
- Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself and your current situation. Even if you’re going through a difficult time, laughter can be really good for you. Just keep telling yourself that “this too shall pass” and get through it.
- Live in the present. Don’t spend time thinking about what you should have done differently in the past. The more you focus on the present, the more you’ll slow down that ticking clock.
With 2011 around the corner, a new year brings renewed hope. We share aspirations of good health and loving relationships. We hope for a stronger economy that is capable of providing more jobs and greater financial stability. And, we hope for peace in our neighborhoods, our country and around the world.
It is my hope that 2011 will be a tremendous year for all of you…and that time will slow down ever so slightly so you can enjoy every precious moment you may have otherwise missed.
Slow Down & Smile,
Molly
Hi Molly –
I KNOW where my time went – it went to find gravity and both of them have set up camp on my face and body. However, I have no problem with “growing old gracefully” as long as I can continue growing old and remain thankful for all the blessings I DO have…
Maria
Maria:
Growing old gracefully is beautiful. Gravity is an interesting phenomenon, isn’t it? 🙂 It may keep pulling you down, but as long as you keep fighting “up” you’ll win!
Thank you for your comment…
Molly 🙂
So here is my theory. When you are 5, you will have to live your whole life AGAIN just to get to the 5th grade! When you’re 8, you have to endure another EIGHT YEARS just to get a driver’s permit; and once you get a permit, you have to live almost another third of you life before you are 21. But then, before you know it, you turn 50. Then each year only takes 1/50th of your life to pass by. No wonder time starts to move so fast. That’s why I’m planning to live to 110. I’ll have to live my life ALL OVER AGAIN just to get there. Now that should slow time down a bit!
Well that makes sense…wish it would help slow down time a little bit! ILY
I am not sure how but I have a beautiful daughter turning 20 this Friday. I am sure I am only 29 so how could that be?
I thought you were 39! You lied… 🙂
My mother was totally stunned when we pointed out to her that she had two children on Social Security and that was four years ago. Wow!
I’m not sure I understand. Can you please explain this one a little more for our readers? Thanks Mama… 🙂
I was using my mother as an example of questioning where does time go. She could not believe how old my brother, Jack, and I were. And to top it off that we were receiving Social Security checks. By the way, she lived to be 95 years old.
I am sitting at the kitchen counter watching my 9 year old daughter baking muffins with my mom. Three generations in the kitchen. I look at my daughter, my youngest, and think that she is half way to 18 and adulthood. How in the world did that happen?? I embrace every speck of childhood I can… Thank goodness she still believes in Santa. Cheers. C
Wow. It’s hard to believe that Ella is 9 years old! Enjoy every moment and I hope the hands on the clock slow down ever so slightly for you. xo